A Guide to Golden & Yellow Native Plants for Ottawa
The Ecological Power of Yellow in the Garden
In landscape design, the colour yellow brings warmth, light, and a cheerful energy to any space. But in an ecological garden, it does so much more. Many native bees are particularly attracted to yellow and violet hues, making plants in this colour spectrum highly effective at bringing in pollinators. From the first blooms of spring to the final flowers and foliage of fall, incorporating golden and yellow native plants ensures your garden is both visually vibrant and ecologically functional.
Here are five of our favourite, hardworking native plants that deliver a powerful golden punch across the seasons.
Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris)
A true superstar of the sunny garden! Its vibrant, fiery-orange flower clusters are a beacon for pollinators, and it's a critical host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Butterfly Milkweed develops a very deep taproot, which is its secret weapon against drought. It absolutely loves full sun and thrives in dry, sandy, or even gravelly soils where other plants would struggle.
Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
The quintessential summer wildflower for sunny Ottawa gardens. This tough biennial or short-lived perennial features cheerful, daisy-like yellow flowers with a prominent dark brown central cone. It's very drought-tolerant once established and blooms for a long period in mid-summer. Beyond feeding pollinators, its seed heads are a favourite of goldfinches and other small birds in the fall.
Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
A powerhouse of the late summer and fall garden, Goldenrod provides a critical, high-energy nectar source for pollinators preparing for winter, including migrating monarchs. Its brilliant clusters of golden-yellow flowers are a hub of activity for a huge diversity of native bees. And let's clear up the myth: its heavy, sticky pollen is spread by insects, not wind, and does not cause seasonal hay fever (that's Ragweed!). There is a Goldenrod species for almost any sunny garden condition.
Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata)
A magnificent native tree that puts on a spectacular show in the fall when its leaves turn a brilliant, clear golden-yellow. Its unique, shaggy bark provides year-round texture and crucial habitat for roosting bats and insects. As a large canopy tree, it's a long-term investment in your property's ecological health, and its nuts are a vital, high-energy food source for a wide range of wildlife, including squirrels, chipmunks, and jays.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
This amazing native shrub provides the last flowers of the year. It blooms in late fall, often in October or November after its own golden leaves have dropped. The fragrant, ribbon-like yellow flowers provide a surprising and vital nectar source for any remaining active insects, like winter moths. It's an excellent understory shrub for adding four-season interest to partly shaded Ottawa gardens.
Let REWILD Design Your Living, Golden Landscape
Inspired to bring these hardworking, beautiful native plants to your own yard? Our expert team at REWILD Landscapes specializes in creating custom, ecological designs for the Ottawa area. We go beyond just picking plants; we create resilient, four-season habitats that are tailored to your property and your vision. We'll help you select the right species that not only look incredible but also provide crucial support for our local pollinators and wildlife.
Lets help you create a garden that glows!
